Refrigerator car



Dec.'l 10, 1935.

f L. E. cARTMlLL REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Nov. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnrenor oye/ Cari-mill v A #arney 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Nov. 2l, 1931 lPatented Dec. 10, 41935 REFRIGERATOR CAR Loyd E. Cartmill, San Francisco, Calif., assigner i to Johns-Manville Corporation,

New York,

' N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 21, 1931, Serial No. 516,515

Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars, and more 'particularly to an improvement over my prior Patent No. 1,788,012, issued January 6, 1931.

In my above mentioned patent, I described a. means for providing anseffective heat insulation for refrigerator cars, and especially for the floor thereof in order to obtain the full benet of the insulation utilized. Thus the insulation covering layer, such as felted or cellular material, is placed over and secured to the flooring with a continuous and unbroken continuity 'to prevent loss of refrigeration; for if there be abutting edges of this layer, this layer in stretchor contracting would leave considerable areas unprotected. These unprotected areas permit the loss of refrigeration, and in time become deleteriously affected by the corroding action of the moisture and liquids in the refrigerator car.

Experimentation has proven that even though a continuous insulation covering for the ooring be used, loss of refrigeration will in time take place through crevices or fissures in this covering which are formed by the movement of the bulkhead bearing, for supporting,v a bulkhead separating Vthe ice compartment from the cargo compartment, and there is a consequent movement ,of the portion of the flooring adjacent the bearing, which resultsin a continual buckling of the covering. This movement or give of the bulkhead bearing is occasioned by the weight of the ice dropped thereon andv by the thrust from the ice load against thev bulkhead.

I have found that this objectionable buckling of the insulation floor covering can be very `readily overcome by the provision of a novel means permitting relative sliding movement between the floor covering and the bulkhead bearing. -It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a novel means for obviating this objectionable feature of the prior art.

It is well recognized in this art, that liquirL accumulates on the floor covering due to condensation of the liquid in the circulating refrigerated air, and leakage from cargo containing liquids. Of course, means are provided for draining this accumulated liquid; however, due to the swaying of the car in transit, this liquid is moved against'the sides of the car and a portion thereof seeps through the crevices between the loading door and the underlying structure. Obviously, this is harmful as the accumulation of liquid may injure the loading door and may even affect theoperation of the: door, and in time produces a deleterious corroding effect which necessitates expensive repairs and replacements.

It is therefore a further object of my invention to prevent the objectionable seepage beneath the door, of the liquid accumulated on the floor covering. I readily accomplish this by 5 means of an elevated stop on the flooring adjacent the bottom of the door, and a double seal closure which comes into effect upon closing of the door.

It is a further object of my invention to pro- 10 vide a downwardly inclined threshold or stop plate for shedding any moisture on the threshold away from the door.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel double seal closure around the top and sides of the door for preventing the ingress of heat or the egress of refrigerated air through the crevices between the door and the surrounding structure.

My invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of' my invention. For this purpose I have shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the presentlspecication. I shall now proceed to describe this form in detail, which illustrates the general principles of my invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of my invention is best defined by the appended claims.

built in accordance with conventional practice.

Thus there are the side sills or beams I 0, and the intermediate beams II. The outer Walls of the car can be formed of a layer of wood I2, which may be tongued and grooved. This layer can be supported in any appropriate manner, which is not any part of the present invention. In order to form the floor of the car, I first of all place a layer of transverse boards I3 at the bottom, supported in any desired manner on the beams or sills Ill, II. For example, the angle irons I4 fastened to sills l0 can be used to sup- Cil port -the ends of these transverse boards.l Over this layer, I place a layer of insulation I comprising a single piece of material covering the boards, made from some comparatively rigid cellular material, such as celotex or insulite. I show another layer I6 of insulation, also comprising a single piece of material, made from a comparatively rigid cellular material such as cork. 'I'he layer of cork I6 is then covered with a layer I1 of some suitable waterproong compound, and a single piece of mica surfaced insulating paper I 8 can be secured to the waterproong compound. Above the layer I8 is the tongue and groove flooring I9, which rests on this layer. Flooring I9 extends substantially across the width of the car and over the sills I0; it also extends longitudinally as far as the bearing rail (Fig. 2) for the bulkhead separating the ice compartment from the cargo compartment. It is to be noted that' this rail rests on the celotex layer I5, and interrupts the continuity of the cork layer I6.

The outer walls of the car also have insulation layers. A usual form of this insulation is disclosed. Thus beneath the boards I2 there is a layer of hairinsul 2l and a. layer of celotex 2I; then an air space, and then a layer of celotex 22 and hairinsul 23 respectively. At the side corners, I provide a. mold 24 having a slightly overn hanging edge 25 and a rounded interior corner 26. The inner wall lining 21 can be supported at its bottom on this mold 24. If desired, the conventional cargo racks 28 can be provided, hinged on appropriate hinge leaves or supports 29. These leaves or supports are so supported in the wall structure that no projections are present to injure the cargo when the cargo shifts. Furthermore,

the hinge is at a considerable distance above the' floor. When the racks 28 are raised on their hinges, they thus present a large clear space for cleaning the oor or Afor inspection, removal or repairing of the iioor covering material.

A continuous layer 30 of waterproof felt paper is laid over the flooring I9. This is carried up over the sides of the molds 24 to protect the corners against moisture. Beading 3I holds the top edge of this layer in place on molds 24. Due to the fact that the inner lining 21 extends beyond the corners, definite advantages are secured. First, sliding of ice or cargo against this'layer cannot injure the corners; and second, whatever moisture collects on the car interior will drip down from the lower edge of lining 21, and cannot find its way beneath the iloor covering 30.

The waterproof felt layer 30 extends substantially the whole length of the car. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, it passes over vthe edge of the drip pan 32 which is disposed at the bottom of the ice compartment. The drip pan 32 overlies the bulkhead rail 20 and is keyed into a groove in the flooring I9 forming a continuation of the upper surface thereof. The layer 30 in fact is preferably carried down over the inner edge of rail 20. The bulkhead (not shown) can be fastened to rail 20 in any desired fashion, wellknown in the art. However, I preferably arrange matters in such a way that the covering is capable of an unrestricted relative sliding move'- ment over the bulkhead rail 20, for a purpose to be described.

-Should relative sliding movement between the covering 30 and bulkhead rail 20 be prevented, any movement of the latter, due to the weight of the ice dropped thereon and by the thrust of the ice load against the bulkhead, will cause a buckling of the covering and a consequent formationof cracksor creases therein. Obviously, this is objectionable both from the standpoint of ineiective refrigeration, and ultimate rotting of the floor construction due to the corroding 33 extends inwardly towards the center of the car, for only a short distance, and is secured to the flooring I9 as by a nail or other suitable means passing through the covering 30 and the stiiener adjacent its undoubled end. Thus, 20 should the rail 20 be caused to move, it will not carry the covering 30 along with it,' as relative sliding movement between the rail 2IJ and stiffener 33 is permitted. The movement of the rail 20 Will have little or no effect upon the flooring 25 I 9 not immediately adjacent thereto, and consequently no relative sliding movement between the flooring and covering is necessary at points remote from the rail. Therefore, the central portion of covering 30 can be adhesively secured to 30 the ooring-l9 as in my above mentioned patent.

The metal stiifener 33 is effectively insulated from the flooring I9 as by a layer of asphalt cement 38 on the flooring, and an overlying waterproof felt 31 sandwiched between the stiener 35 and the cement.

Moisture quite frequently accumulates on the floor covering 30 and normally this is removed through the conventional drain in the car; however, in transit the cars sway from side to side 40 and a good deal of this accumulated moisture is moved against the sides. Naturally, some of this moisture willseep through the crevices beneath the door. This obviously is objectionable as the moisture may cause the door and threshold to 45. swell, preventing the opening of the former; and ultimately causes both the door and threshold to rot. I obviate this objection in a manner now to 'be described.

The door 31, which is of conventional construction comprising wood and multi-layer insulation, is provided with inwardly tapered ends (Fig. 3) which cooperate with the inversely tapered surrounding wall construction to form a substantially air-tight closure. An inclined stop 38, having a substantially right triangular cross section, is positioned adjacent the downwardly inclined threshold 39 with its short abrupt leg parallel to the door. The oor covering 30 extends onto the inclined face of stop 38 and is 0.0 protected from any seepage of moisture underneath the covering as-by a substantially L-shaped metallic protector 4I), the long side of which is coincident with the inclined face of the stop. The short side of protector 40 extends parallel to 65 the abrupt face of the stop 38 and serves as a means for fastening a gasket 4I to this leg. A gasket 42 is secured to the inner face 21 of the door 31 as by a metallic fastening strip 43. The gaskets 4I and 42 coact with the door and pro- 70 tector 40 respectively to form a double seal effect which prevents the escape of liquid swashed onto the stop 38, beneath the door as in the prior art constructions. The gasket 42 is so positioned on the wall 2 I, that it contacts with the protector 48 75 aoaaaoe at substantially its topmost portion. In this man--r ner there can be no pocket, for the accumulation of liquid, between the gasket l2 and protector dt., The downwardly inclined flooring forming the threshold 39 is covered by a metallic threshold plate fifi which serves to shed any moisture thereon away from the door opening. The inner end of this plate extends into a slot in the inclned stop 38.

The double seal eiect produced by gaskets li and d2, not only prevents the egress of liquid beneath the door of the car, but also serves to prevent the egress of refrigerated air, and the ingress of warm air from the exterior.

This same double seal effect can be formed around the sides and top of the door 3l to prevent the egress or ingress of air between the top and sides of the door and the surrounding wall construction. Thus a gasket, a continuation of gasket M, is secured to a framework 46, which in turn is properly positioned adjacent the sides and top of the door, as'by a metallic fastening strip fill. Agasket 48, a continuation of gasket 42, is secured to the inner face 2l of the door as by a metallic fastening strip 49. Gasket i8 extends around the sides and top of the inner face of the door and is adapted to coact with gasket t5 to form a double seal eiect when the door is in closed position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A metallic protector strip 5t can be secured to the top inclined face of the door if desired.

I claim: n

l. In a refrigerator car flooring structure,'a flooring for the car, a bulkhead rail adjacent one end of thel floor and assisting to define a cargo and an ice compartment, a oor covering, and a stiilener for one end of the floor covering, said stiffener and floor covering extending over the rail and being capable of a relative sliding movement with respect to the bulkhead rail.

2. In a refrigerator car flooring structure, a

, flooring for the car, a bulkhead rail adjacent one end of the oor and assisting to define a cargo and an ice compartment, a floor covering forv the flooring and bulkhead rail, and a metal stiffener for one end of the flooring, said stiffener extending'over the flooring adjacent to the bulkhead rail, and said stiiener and flooring covering extending over the rail and being capable of a relative sliding movement with respect to the bulkhead rail.

3. In a refrigerator car flooring structure, a flooring for the car, a bulkhead rail adjacent one end of the :door and assisting to dene a cargo and an ice compartment, a floor covering for the flooring and bulkhead rail, a member extending over the bulkhead rail and the flooring adjacent to said rail for stiiening one end of the floor covering and means adjacent the inner end of said member for securing the covering and said member to the ilooring, said covering and said member extending over the rail and being capable of a relative sliding movement with respect to said" rail.

4. In a refrigerator car flooring structure, a flooring for the car, a bulkhead rail adjacent one end of the floor and assisting to define a cargo and an ice compartment, a floor covering for the flooring and bulkhead rail, a member extending over the bulkhead rail and the flooring adjacent to said rail for stiening one end of the floor covering and means adjacent the inner end of said member for securing the covering and said member to the ilcoring, the outer end of said member being doubled over the end of the covering and extending along the side of said rail into the ice compartment, and said covering and member being capableof a relative sliding movement with respect to said rail.

5. In a refrigerator car having a oorlng and a a door, a stop at one side of the ooring adjacent the bottom of the door, said stop having an abrupt face adjacent the door, and an upper face inclined from the door toward the car interior,

a covering for said oor extending onto the inlo clined stop, and a protector plate covering the end of the flooring and secured to said inclined stop.

6. In a refrigerator car having a flooring and a door, a stop at one side of the iiooring adjal5 cent the bottom of the door. said stop having an abrupt face adjacent the door, and an upper face inclined from the door toward the car interior, a covering for the flooring extending onto the inclined stop, a gasket on the abrupt face of the inclined stop, and a gasket on the door, said gaskets respectively cooperating with the door and the top portion of the elevated stop to form a double seal when the door is in closed position.

7. In a refrigerator car having a flooring and a door, a stop at one side of the iiooring adjacent the bottom of the door, said stop having an abrupt face adjacent the door, and an upper face inclined from the door toward the car interior, a covering for said ilooring extending onto the inclined stop, a protector plate covering the end of the ooring and extending over the apex of the inclined stop, a gasket on the abrupt face of the inclined stop, and a gasket on the door, said gaskets respectively cooperating with the door and the apex of the protector plate to form a double seal.

8. In a refrigerator car having a iiooring and a door, a stop at one side of the ooring adjacent the bottom of the door, said stop having an abrupt face adjacent the door, and an upper face inclined from the door toward the car interior, a covering for said flooring extending onto the inclined stop, a protector plate covering the end of the ooring and extending over the apex of the inclined stop, a gasket on the abxrupt face of the inclined stop, a gasket on theidor, said gaskets respectively cooperating with the door and the apex of the protector plate to form a double seal, and a downwardly inclined metallic threshold plate extending into the inclined stop.

9. In a refrigerator car having a flooring and a door, a stop at one side of the flooring adjacent the bottom of the door, said Stop having an abrupt face adjacent the door, and an upper face inclined from the door toward the car interior, a gasket on the abrupt face of the inclined stop, a gasket on the door, said gaskets respectively cooperating with the ,door and inclined stop to form a double seal, a frame adjacent to and overlying the top and sides of the door, a gasket on said frame, and a gasket near the edges of the sides and top of the door, said last named gaskets cooperating to form a double seal; said double seals being formed only when the door is in closed position. i

10. In a refrigerator car iooring structure, a flooring for the car, a bulkhead rail adjacent one end of the oor and assisting to define a cargo and an ice compartment, and a floor covering for the cargo compartment having a portion extending over the rail, slidably supported thereon and attached only on the cargo side of the rail.

LoYD E. cAa'rMnr.. 75 

